The Sacred Ache
A Christian perspective on the search for spirituality in witchcraft, crystals and tarot
A craving for the mystical is leading a whole generation towards witchcraft, tarot and crystals, but Dr Belle Tindall suggests a more satisfying way to quench a spiritual thirst found in the person of Jesus.
In stock
ISBN-13
9780281091041-grouped
From £12.99
Belle Tindall-Riley (Author)
Belle Tindall-Riley is a biblical scholar, writer, speaker, and podcaster. Based at the Centre for Cultural Witness, she is the writer in residence at Seen and Unseen. She is also a columnist for Premier’s Woman Alive magazine and a contributor for Bible Society, LICC and the Visual Commentary of Scripture. Alongside author and podcaster Justin Brierley, she is co-host of Re-Enchanting, a podcast that ponders whether our supposedly disenchanted world can be re-enchanted with the wonder and mystery of the Christian story.
Lauren Windle (In-House Editor)
Lauren Windle is a journalist, presenter, public speaker and author of three books. Her first, Notes On Love: Being Single and Dating in a Marriage Obsessed Church was published in 2021 by SPCK. Her second, Notes On Feminism: Being a Woman in a Church Led by Men came out in March 2024 and was covered by Sky, Sunday Morning Live, The Belfast Telegraph, The Church Times and many more. Her third, an activity and prayer book Drawing As Prayer, will be out in October.
On 22 April 2014 Lauren got clean and sober from a cocaine and alcohol addiction and became a Christian five days later. She has a degree in Neuroscience and a master’s in Addiction Studies from the UK’s leading addiction research centre at King’s College London. She has run several charity recovery courses for people struggling with addiction and consults for churches hoping to improve their support of those seeking freedom. In 2018, Lauren gave a TEDx Talk about her personal story of addiction and recovery which has now been viewed more than half a million times. She regularly speaks about her experiences on podcasts, in articles, at conferences, events, churches and schools.
Belle Tindall-Riley is a biblical scholar, writer, speaker, and podcaster. Based at the Centre for Cultural Witness, she is the writer in residence at Seen and Unseen. She is also a columnist for Premier’s Woman Alive magazine and a contributor for Bible Society, LICC and the Visual Commentary of Scripture. Alongside author and podcaster Justin Brierley, she is co-host of Re-Enchanting, a podcast that ponders whether our supposedly disenchanted world can be re-enchanted with the wonder and mystery of the Christian story.
Lauren Windle (In-House Editor)
Lauren Windle is a journalist, presenter, public speaker and author of three books. Her first, Notes On Love: Being Single and Dating in a Marriage Obsessed Church was published in 2021 by SPCK. Her second, Notes On Feminism: Being a Woman in a Church Led by Men came out in March 2024 and was covered by Sky, Sunday Morning Live, The Belfast Telegraph, The Church Times and many more. Her third, an activity and prayer book Drawing As Prayer, will be out in October.
On 22 April 2014 Lauren got clean and sober from a cocaine and alcohol addiction and became a Christian five days later. She has a degree in Neuroscience and a master’s in Addiction Studies from the UK’s leading addiction research centre at King’s College London. She has run several charity recovery courses for people struggling with addiction and consults for churches hoping to improve their support of those seeking freedom. In 2018, Lauren gave a TEDx Talk about her personal story of addiction and recovery which has now been viewed more than half a million times. She regularly speaks about her experiences on podcasts, in articles, at conferences, events, churches and schools.
"The Sacred Ache opens up the deep, hidden and perhaps unexpected mysteries of the Christian path for a generation that may know little about it. Belle Tindall-Riley's book is accessible and entertaining, and always has its feet on the ground. By the end, though, you may find that ground shifting beneath you."
"Belle Tindall-Riley has achieved a rare feat. She has explained the profound beauty of the Christian faith, drawing in intellectual enquiry about God over many centuries, and presenting it in a fun and accessible - yet no less profound - way. The Sacred Ache will speak to the yearnings of a generation of young people who long for something more but have never had Christianity explained to them in a way that feels relevant. Funny, fascinating and tender, this book feels like a friend sitting down with a cup of tea to tell you the greatest story ever told."
"Wise, witty and urgent, The Sacred Ache is a call to depth in a time of distraction. Belle’s erudition walks alongside her humanity, and the whole book crackles with excitement."
About
Across culture, there is a growing openness to the spiritual, the transcendent, and the mysterious. From astrology and manifestation to ritual and embodied practices of Tarot, Wicca and Meditation, our generation is searching for something more, something... sacred.
In The Sacred Ache, Christian academic Belle Tindall-Riley argues that this hunger is not a trend, it is the truest thing about us.
With clarity and courage, Belle examines the spiritual practices shaping our landscape, asking what deep soul-longings drive them and where they ultimately fall short. She explores why our desire for transcendence is both beautiful and easily distorted - and why it points beyond itself.
Turning to Christianity, she uncovers its most mystical and embodied dimensions, revealing a faith far richer and wilder than many imagine. Honest and vulnerable, Belle shares why she believes Jesus does not silence our spiritual ache - He fulfils it.
A thoughtful and compelling book for anyone exploring spirituality, deconstructing faith, or wondering whether Christianity can still speak to our deepest longings.
In The Sacred Ache, Christian academic Belle Tindall-Riley argues that this hunger is not a trend, it is the truest thing about us.
With clarity and courage, Belle examines the spiritual practices shaping our landscape, asking what deep soul-longings drive them and where they ultimately fall short. She explores why our desire for transcendence is both beautiful and easily distorted - and why it points beyond itself.
Turning to Christianity, she uncovers its most mystical and embodied dimensions, revealing a faith far richer and wilder than many imagine. Honest and vulnerable, Belle shares why she believes Jesus does not silence our spiritual ache - He fulfils it.
A thoughtful and compelling book for anyone exploring spirituality, deconstructing faith, or wondering whether Christianity can still speak to our deepest longings.
Author
Belle Tindall-Riley (Author)
Belle Tindall-Riley is a biblical scholar, writer, speaker, and podcaster. Based at the Centre for Cultural Witness, she is the writer in residence at Seen and Unseen. She is also a columnist for Premier’s Woman Alive magazine and a contributor for Bible Society, LICC and the Visual Commentary of Scripture. Alongside author and podcaster Justin Brierley, she is co-host of Re-Enchanting, a podcast that ponders whether our supposedly disenchanted world can be re-enchanted with the wonder and mystery of the Christian story.
Lauren Windle (In-House Editor)
Lauren Windle is a journalist, presenter, public speaker and author of three books. Her first, Notes On Love: Being Single and Dating in a Marriage Obsessed Church was published in 2021 by SPCK. Her second, Notes On Feminism: Being a Woman in a Church Led by Men came out in March 2024 and was covered by Sky, Sunday Morning Live, The Belfast Telegraph, The Church Times and many more. Her third, an activity and prayer book Drawing As Prayer, will be out in October.
On 22 April 2014 Lauren got clean and sober from a cocaine and alcohol addiction and became a Christian five days later. She has a degree in Neuroscience and a master’s in Addiction Studies from the UK’s leading addiction research centre at King’s College London. She has run several charity recovery courses for people struggling with addiction and consults for churches hoping to improve their support of those seeking freedom. In 2018, Lauren gave a TEDx Talk about her personal story of addiction and recovery which has now been viewed more than half a million times. She regularly speaks about her experiences on podcasts, in articles, at conferences, events, churches and schools.
Belle Tindall-Riley is a biblical scholar, writer, speaker, and podcaster. Based at the Centre for Cultural Witness, she is the writer in residence at Seen and Unseen. She is also a columnist for Premier’s Woman Alive magazine and a contributor for Bible Society, LICC and the Visual Commentary of Scripture. Alongside author and podcaster Justin Brierley, she is co-host of Re-Enchanting, a podcast that ponders whether our supposedly disenchanted world can be re-enchanted with the wonder and mystery of the Christian story.
Lauren Windle (In-House Editor)
Lauren Windle is a journalist, presenter, public speaker and author of three books. Her first, Notes On Love: Being Single and Dating in a Marriage Obsessed Church was published in 2021 by SPCK. Her second, Notes On Feminism: Being a Woman in a Church Led by Men came out in March 2024 and was covered by Sky, Sunday Morning Live, The Belfast Telegraph, The Church Times and many more. Her third, an activity and prayer book Drawing As Prayer, will be out in October.
On 22 April 2014 Lauren got clean and sober from a cocaine and alcohol addiction and became a Christian five days later. She has a degree in Neuroscience and a master’s in Addiction Studies from the UK’s leading addiction research centre at King’s College London. She has run several charity recovery courses for people struggling with addiction and consults for churches hoping to improve their support of those seeking freedom. In 2018, Lauren gave a TEDx Talk about her personal story of addiction and recovery which has now been viewed more than half a million times. She regularly speaks about her experiences on podcasts, in articles, at conferences, events, churches and schools.
Reviews
"The Sacred Ache opens up the deep, hidden and perhaps unexpected mysteries of the Christian path for a generation that may know little about it. Belle Tindall-Riley's book is accessible and entertaining, and always has its feet on the ground. By the end, though, you may find that ground shifting beneath you."
"Belle Tindall-Riley has achieved a rare feat. She has explained the profound beauty of the Christian faith, drawing in intellectual enquiry about God over many centuries, and presenting it in a fun and accessible - yet no less profound - way. The Sacred Ache will speak to the yearnings of a generation of young people who long for something more but have never had Christianity explained to them in a way that feels relevant. Funny, fascinating and tender, this book feels like a friend sitting down with a cup of tea to tell you the greatest story ever told."
"Wise, witty and urgent, The Sacred Ache is a call to depth in a time of distraction. Belle’s erudition walks alongside her humanity, and the whole book crackles with excitement."
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In The Sacred Ache, Christian academic Belle Tindall-Riley argues that this hunger is not a trend, it is the truest thing about us.
With clarity and courage, Belle examines the spiritual practices shaping our landscape, asking what deep soul-longings drive them and where they ultimately fall short. She explores why our desire for transcendence is both beautiful and easily distorted - and why it points beyond itself.
Turning to Christianity, she uncovers its most mystical and embodied dimensions, revealing a faith far richer and wilder than many imagine. Honest and vulnerable, Belle shares why she believes Jesus does not silence our spiritual ache - He fulfils it.
A thoughtful and compelling book for anyone exploring spirituality, deconstructing faith, or wondering whether Christianity can still speak to our deepest longings.